Probable cause
The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection which resulted in a failure of the right main landing gear tire on landing rollout, a subsequent loss of directional control, and landing gear collapse.
NTSB analysis
The pilot was approaching the runway for landing and stated that the initial touchdown and landing roll were uneventful. After the first 100 ft, the airplane began to pull to the left, and the right main landing gear collapsed. The pilot said that during a postaccident examination of the right main landing gear, he discovered a small nail that had punctured the tire and innertube. An examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed the horizontal stabilizer and empennage had been substantially damaged during the accident sequence. The FAA inspector also confirmed the punctured tire and innertube. Additionally, the FAA inspector discovered nails on the pilot’s hangar floor that were identical to the nail that was found in the airplane’s tire.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA21LA251 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 5, 2021
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Monticello, New York
- Nearest airport
- Sullivan County Airport (KMSV)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-24
- N-number
- N5779P
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1959
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.